Alabama running back Najee Harris (22) is forced out of bounds by Arkansas State defensive back Derrick Bean (30) in second half action at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday September 8, 2018. Mickey Welsh

Alabama linebacker Christopher Allen (4) scores a touchdown on an interception against Arkansas State In first half action at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday September 8, 2018. Mickey Welsh

Arkansas State punter Cody Grace (41) scrambles to get a punt away after fumbling the snap as Alabama linebacker Jamey Mosley (16) pressures him in first half action at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday September 8, 2018. Mickey Welsh

Alabama head coach Nick Saban and Arkansas State head coach Blake Anderson talk at midfield before the Alabama vs. Arkansas State game at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday September 8, 2018. Mickey Welsh

Alabama linebacker Christopher Allen (4) celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown against Arkansas State In first half action at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday September 8, 2018. Mickey Welsh

Alabama running back Damien Harris (34) is upended by Arkansas State defensive back Darreon Jackson (34) In first half action at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday September 8, 2018. Mickey Welsh

The ball gets by Arkansas State wide receiver Jonathan Adams, Jr., (9) as he is defended by Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) In first half action at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday September 8, 2018. Mickey Welsh

My buddy Jim Farrior, (aka Furhead), sent me a text which said he was in the shade at Bryant-Denny Stadium but still dying of heat as the Alabama Crimson Tide smashed Arkansas State 57-7 on a scorching Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa.

It thinned out quickly on a brutally hot day, which was recorded at 96, and probably even hotter on the field. Fur is a loyal, dedicated Alabama fan, who is known to travel far and wide in his fancy RV.

In fact, we are making plans for a road trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas, next month. It will be just like when we lived together on 12th Avenue, more than 50 years ago.

What’s astonishing is that little house is still there and still grinding out rent after all though years. I wish we had bought it.

Alabama wasted little time, scoring three touchdowns in its first four tries. The Tide rolled up 599 yards of offense against Arkansas State and went into halftime with a 40-0 lead. It was the second straight week the Tide have covered the spread by halftime.

The Alabama defense completely throttled Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback Justice Hansen, until he was mercifully pulled in the third quarter.

He finished the game 15-of-36 passing for 140 yards and a 25.7 QBR, last among FBS quarterbacks in Week 2.

On the other hand, Tua Tagovailoa, was sharp, completing 13 of 19 passes for 228 yards and four touchdowns.

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Alabama Crimson Tide senior center Ross Pierschbacher is happy with how the offensive line has played despite outside criticisms from fans.
Duane Rankin, Montgomery Advertiser

In fact, he may be the best quarterback in college football as he has a 237.2 passing rating after two games and is 25 of 35 passes for 445 yards and six scores.

Even more impressive, he is 10-of-10 passing on third-down conversions, a sign of a winner. Most of these numbers were compiled in the first two quarters, as he has sat out the majority of the second halves of both games. Backup quarterback Jalen Hurts looked good as well, completing 7 of 9 passes for two more scores.

So much for the rumor mill, which speculated Hurts would redshirt this season, so he could transfer with two years of eligibility left. If that was the case, I doubt we would have seen him in a lopsided game like this one.

The two quarterbacks completed 20 passes to eight different receivers, which must send chills up opponent defensive coordinator’s spines.

The Tide have outscored opponents 108-21, and it’s the first time since 1925 Alabama has scored 50-plus points in its first two games.

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Alabama sophomore DeVonta Smith talks about the explosiveness of the Alabama offense and not being concerned about Mississippi's receiver unit.
Duane Rankin, Montgomery Advertiser

On the defensive side, the Tide emptied the entire bench. In fact, defensive stats were recorded by 27 players, and of those, seven were redshirt freshmen or true freshmen. A total of 64 players participated in the romp. Cornerback Saivion Smith returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown just before the break, which was the Tide’s third nonoffensive score this season. Not bad for a defense which lost seven starters to the NFL draft.

So far, the Tide's “inexperienced” defense has allowed only three touchdowns in eight quarters. In those two games, the opponents had 29 possessions and converted only 8 of its 33 third-down opportunities. Although the Tide completely steamrolled the Red Wolves, the curmudgeonly coach Nick Saban groused “they tricked us on the quarterback throwback pass which was a big play for them.” He was right, of course, as the 25-yard gain helped them to their only score of the game.

It should be noted the Tide commanded a 40-point lead when the breakdown occurred. Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson said: “Alabama is the best team I have seen in pads or on film in a long time.” He also added he asked Saban before the game if he knew of any weaknesses, but he didn’t share any with me. Duh!

I thought the defense played well against an offense that knows how to spread the field, and that experience ought to help us against another pass-happy opponent this weekend as the Tide open the SEC schedule with a road trip to Oxford to face the Ole Miss Black Bears/Land Shark/Rebels. Ole Miss scored 76 points against FCS Southern Illinois but gave up an astonishing 41. We will have a better idea of the 2018 Crimson Tide after this weekend, and I’m confident they will show up ready to play. As always, Roll Tide Roll.